Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 16:14 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 16:14

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 16:14

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 HEADLINES- Close Army Radio After 75 Years- US to Lead Gaza Stabilization Force- Six Israeli Hostages Killed in Hamas TunnelsThe time is now 11:08 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.The day’s developments in the Middle East and related global shifts unfold against a backdrop of ongoing conflict, strategic recalibrations, and shifting political dynamics. In Israel, the government moves to redefine its domestic media landscape as Defense Minister Katz proposes closing Army Radio after 75 years, arguing the channel has drifted from its original military service. The proposal has sparked legal challenges and raised concerns about press freedom, illustrating a broader debate over state communications, security needs, and the role of official information during a time of heightened tensions in Gaza and the West Bank. The issue is moving toward a vote later this month, a decision that could reshape how the military and the civilian sphere manage messaging and information in a time of crisis.From Washington, the political calculus surrounding US policy in the region is taking shape in multiple formats. A member of Congress, Wilson, framed the situation in Iraq as a test of sovereignty in the face of Iranian influence, suggesting that Iraq must free itself from what he described as Iran’s puppet structure or risk losing US aid. His remarks tie into broader discussions about safeguards and leverage in the National Defense Authorization Act, signaling that US oversight and aid considerations may be employed to press for policy realignment in the Iraqi arena as part of a wider effort to constrain Iran’s regional influence.In Africa, the M23 movement’s advances in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo threaten fragile peace talks, with the group consolidating control over the town of Uvira. The development underscores the fragility of regional stabilization efforts that also echo in international diplomatic discussions about countering violence and ensuring civilian protection, even as attention remains focused on Gaza and Israel’s security concerns.Turning to intelligence and security leadership, a profile of Roman Gofman illuminates Israel’s evolving approach to its external intelligence apparatus. Descriptions of his ascent within Mossad highlight the growing and ongoing recalibration of leadership as Israel faces complex security threats, including monitoring, prevention, and rapid response across multiple theaters of operation.Within Israel’s domestic debates on accountability and security policy, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned ex-security chiefs against involvement in the Oct. 7 inquiry, decrying what he characterized as organized pressure from former officials seeking to distort facts and influence government action. He argued that Israel must pursue a broad, equitable, and professional national commission that can command public trust while remaining independent of political pressure. The exchange underscores tensions between political leadership, intelligence communities, and the public’s demand for transparency after a campaign that continues to shape national security policy and public perception.International exchanges of note include a secretive visit by Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister to Israel. The details remain undisclosed, but reports indicate conversations may have touched on security cooperation and regional defense considerations, including potential discussions around Taiwan’s multi-layered air defense system known as T-Dome. The visit reflects the broader, quietly expanding links among tech, security, and defense policy in a period of heightened competition and security concerns across the region.In the realm of human rights and international law, a new Amnesty International report on the 7.10 attacks and the ensuing period remains a focal point of global scrutiny. The organization asserts that Hamas and allied Palestinian groups committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the October 7 assault and in the subsequent period of hostage-taking. The report details killings, indiscriminate rocket fire, abductions, and abuses against hostages, including allegations of sexual violence and mistreatment. It also critiques the conduct of various actors—Hamas, Palestinian authorities, Israel’s investigations, and international bodies—while noting that independent, credible accountability remains essential. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center has published data suggesting a high incidence of Gaza-based journalists with ties to Hamas or Islamic Jihad, a finding that has drawn favorable and critical responses from press freedom advocates and international observers. The RSF and other bodies have highlighted concerns about press safety and access, with the broader debate centering on how to protect journalists while reporting in high-risk zones and how to distinguish independent journalism ...
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